Thinking about which species to get next

[maryanne27]

I had a graceful chameleon for a few years, and he just passed away recently. In a couple months, I'll probably be getting another cham after I build a new enclosure I've been thinking about. My dilemma: so many chameleons! Haha My thoughts:
- Definitely staying with males because females and their egg-laying needs scare me haha
- Loved my graceful... he was so sweet and I really like the look of that species. Contemplating going that route again, but it would be nice to see some new colors.
- Love the colors of veiled, and I feel like that would be a good transition care-wise. Not a huge fan of the high casque but that's not entirely a big deal.
- Jacksons look really neat! Some questions: Do they stay mostly shades of green? Are they for more advanced keepers or are they relatively easy as far as chameleons go?
- Carpets and jeweled are soooo pretty. Questions again: are they more difficult to care for? Do they need to be kept in groups or is one ok on its own for a while?

Any opinions on any of these species would be helpful! I'm not in any hurry

 

[Theveiled]

I have a veiled and absolutely love him. I bought him when he was about 5 months old so he had an attitude. I just worked with him and now he is so sweet and waits to come out of the cage. I say if you have time to work with it and patience or get you get a veiled as a smaller baby (maybe less than 5 months?) they are definitely one great chameleon.

 

[JGuinan007]

I think you should get some Trioceros sternfeldi (Rudis) chameleon 2 fem 1 male and you don't have to bother with a laying bin cause they have live birth and after they have babies you can send one my way!

 

[Matt Vanilla Gorilla]

Panther, panther, panther! I love them!

 

[jajeanpierre]

A gracilior of course--horns, sail fins, fabulous jagged dragon throat spikes and red toe nails! (Sadly the picture of this boy's nails aren't showing up as blood red as they are in real life.)

 

[maryanne27]

I think you should get some Trioceros sternfeldi (Rudis) chameleon 2 fem 1 male and you don't have to bother with a laying bin cause they have live birth and after they have babies you can send one my way!

hahahaha you're too funny! That is really neat that they give live birth, however, I feel as though I might not have enough experience for that! If some day I do, I'll definitely keep you in mind! haha

 

[maryanne27]

A gracilior of course--horns, sail fins, fabulous jagged dragon throat spikes and red toe nails! (Sadly the picture of this boy's nails aren't showing up as blood red as they are in real life.)

View attachment 151730

That is AWESOME! The four horns kind of threw me off at first, but I love the scales on him! What is their care level comparable to? Are they difficult/finicky?

 

[maryanne27]

Ok I've made my decision: I'm just getting them ALL. Just going to turn the second floor of my house into a chameleon world. My dogs and husband can have the first floor

 

[jajeanpierre]

That is AWESOME! The four horns kind of threw me off at first, but I love the scales on him! What is their care level comparable to? Are they difficult/finicky?

Or a quad quad--bigger jaggedy throat spikes, bigger horns and taller sail fins and dorsal crest. No red toe nails, though. The T. q. quadricornis and T. q. gracilior are not difficult. They do like it cool and humid, and you can't over supplement. Other than that, they are a pretty straight forward montane species. Both the nominate (quadricornis) and the subspecies (gracilior) have the same slash of dark color across their eyes giving them the softest eyes you'll ever see on a chameleon. None of these pictures show their beautiful soft eye. Top picture, quadricornis; middle and bottom pictures, graciliors.

 

[JohnR]

what's wrong with panthers? I don't see one on your list.

Jacksons would be next on my list. So cool looking!

 

[MeruJack]

I love Mt. Meru Dwarf Jacksons. They're beautiful, smallish and are pretty easy to keep. I have 10! Here is one of my males (licking leaves), one of my females, and male and female babies. Love 'em!!

 

[MeruJack]

Or a quad quad--bigger jaggedy throat spikes, bigger horns and taller sail fins and dorsal crest. No red toe nails, though.

I didn't know the difference between T. q. quadricornis and T. q. gracilior. Thanks! I may have to get a gracilior! Especially love those red toenails!

 

[maryanne27]

what's wrong with panthers? I don't see one on your list.

Jacksons would be next on my list. So cool looking!

Honestly I really don't know what it is about the panthers that I am not too fond of Maybe if I saw one in person it would change my mind.... I think it is something about the nose which sounds so stupid, I know. I did see a post of someone with a white panther? That looked really interesting, but I don't know if I would get one. No offense to anyone with panthers! I am hoping to go to a reptile show in a few months and I REALLY hope there will be a variety of species there that I can explore before buying!

 

[maryanne27]

I love Mt. Meru Dwarf Jacksons. They're beautiful, smallish and are pretty easy to keep. I have 10! Here is one of my males (licking leaves), one of my females, and male and female babies. Love 'em!!View attachment 151780 View attachment 151781 View attachment 151782

These are both really cool.... knowing that they aren't too difficult is putting them toward the top of my list!!

 

[maryanne27]

I love Mt. Meru Dwarf Jacksons. They're beautiful, smallish and are pretty easy to keep. I have 10! Here is one of my males (licking leaves), one of my females, and male and female babies. Love 'em!!View attachment 151780 View attachment 151781 View attachment 151782

Oh my goodness they are so cute!!!

You guys are all being so helpful; there are so many different chameleons out there that I had no idea were available for pets. I always see the same handful of common breeds kept in captivity, so this is really fun! Keep the suggestions coming!!

 

[KLowery88]

With chameleons it seems the hardest decision is figuring out a species that isn't interesting!